In the last few days, there has been data falsification on Google Business and Google Maps for Immigration offices and hundreds of hotels in Indonesia.
The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) revealed that hundreds of hotels in Indonesia have been affected by data falsification in their Google Business accounts.
PHRI Chairman Hariyadi Sukamdani explained that the chronology began on August 11, 2024, when one of the members of the West Sumatra PHRI regional management reported to the central PHRI that several Google Business accounts in hotels in the West Sumatra region had their data changed, starting from WhatsApp number information to hotel account numbers.
After checking, the number of hotels affected by data falsification increased to a total of 60 hotels.
The same thing happened to the Indonesian immigration office. According to data at the Immigration Office, the fake WhatsApp contact number was inserted into the address information on the Google Maps page of several Immigration Offices.
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The number 081230030440, for example, was found on the Google Maps pages of several Immigration Offices. This suspicious number was found when traced through the GetContact application.
Google’s response to the fake contact number in Maps
Google responded quickly after the discovery of falsified Google Business data that affected several hotels in Indonesia on Sunday, August 11, 2024.
Kami memahami adanya isu terkait informasi pada Profil Bisnis. Kebijakan kami dengan jelas menyatakan bahwa usulan perubahan dari pengguna harus berdasarkan informasi yang sebenarnya dan tim kami bekerja sepanjang waktu untuk melawan aktivitas yang melanggar kebijakan. Kami…
— Google Indonesia (@googleindonesia) August 13, 2024
“Our policy clearly states that proposed changes from users must be based on actual information and our team works around the clock to fight activity that violates policy,” wrote a Google statement on its account on X, Tuesday (13/8).
Google said a technical problem occurred, resulting in changes to information on several Google business profiles.
Currently, corrective measures are being implemented to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.
Be careful in contacting business contact numbers
Nowadays, Google Maps is very accessible and important, especially for those who want to find information on hotels, restaurants, or public service offices.
For this reason, it is important to ensure public information and urged to always access official information about immigration services through official channels of the Directorate General of Immigration.
In addition, it is reminded not to easily believe information obtained from sources that cannot be accounted for, especially if it involves administrative and financial matters.
